Why I'm Here

Currently in the online world of literature there is a big debate going on about people who blog about books. I'm not totally up to speed with the whole debacle because (1) I don't have the time to pour over hundreds of blogs, tweets, etc to figure it all out and (2) I have major issues with listening to people argue.* While I believe that the whole thing is dealing with people who blog book reviews, especially those who receive ARCs or free books from publishers, it's made me think about what I'm doing here.

I want to be clear on a few things. One is that the only ARCs I have ever received I got when I was at the YALSA Young Adult Lit Symposium in November. After I looked over them I passed them on to actual teenagers that I thought would enjoy them. I did not review them on this blog or in the book review section of the MCPL YA website. Also, I have never had a publisher mail me a free book.**

Secondly, I write this blog for the teenagers in Marshall County, Kentucky. It is my job to encourage young people in this area to (1) read, (2) be active library patrons, and (3) become the best version of themselves that they can be.*** Yes, my blogs may seem random and unfocused, but these are my goals...I just have an odd way of reaching them.

Now, by saying that I'm writing for the YAs of Marshall County am I implying that I don't want other people to read this blog? Heck, no! Come one, come all! Seriously, it thrills me that anyone is reading this. I just think it's important to understand who I'm writing for. If this blog was intended for "industry types" I would be using bigger words**** and talking quite a bit less about Jensen Ackles and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.*****

Finally, I think it's best to point out that all views, opinions, and thoughts are those of Miss Tammy and Miss Tammy alone. They are not necessarily the views, opinions, and thoughts of the Marshall County Public Library System. For the record, the Marshall County Public Library System has zero opinion on the exact hotness level of Jensen Ackles or whether or not Buffy the Vampire Slayer was the greatest television show ever made.

*Really, cannot stand it. You know those Judge shows, like Judge Judy and Judge Alex and Judge Whoever? They make me physically ill. Can't we all just get along?

**Although, I must say, I'm all for free books. Or free Kindle uploads. Oh no. Did I just tread onto the big e-book controversy? Sorry! *steps back quickly, head down, eye averted*

***How am I suppose to do this? Beats me, but I'm going to try.

****Hopefully bigger words will be used correctly, but I doubt that would be the case.

****Of course, that would leave me with very little to talk about.